Stars to come out for nightly TIFF parties

Watch: The Morning Show’s Liem Vu gets a sneak peek at how the stars are going to party

TORONTO — The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) is as much about parties as it is about movies. And while it’s next to impossible to get in to these events without an invitation, they typically provide ample opportunities for star-gazing. If you’re lucky, your patience could be rewarded with a re-gifted swag bag from a celeb (as Kevin Zegers has been known to do).

Here’s a look at some of the TIFF parties worth staking out:

– TIFF kicks off officially off Thursday with a big bash at Maple Leaf Square following the opening night gala for The Fifth Estate.

– The Shangri-La on University Ave. plays host Thursday night to Toronto Life’s Most Stylish party.

– The Only Lovers Left Alive party takes place Friday night at The Courthouse on Adelaide St. East with Tilda Swinton, Anton Yelchin, Tom Hiddleston and Mia Wasikowska (with beau Jesse Eisenberg?).

– Daniel Radcliffe’s made-in-Vancouver movie Horns will be feted Friday night at the AMC Storys space on Duncan St.

– On Saturday night, Hello! Canada brings its annual TIFF bash back to the Ritz Carlton on Wellington St. A who’s who of homegrown talent will be celebrated, including Paul Haggis, Emily Hampshire, Kardinall Offishall, Lisa Ray, Karine Vanasse and Ellen Wong. Organizers also expect to see Shane West, Rufus Wainwright and designers Dean and Dan Caten — but don’t be surprised if some A-listers pop in, too.

– At Patria on King St. West expect to see Thomas Hayden Church and Toni Collette on Saturday night as they toast the screening of Lucky Them.

– Patricia Arquette hosts the annual ONEXONE fundraising bash on Saturday night at AMC Storys on Duncan St.

– Canadian stars will dominate the annual CFC TIFF BBQ, taking place Sunday afternoon at the Canadian Film Centre on Bayview Ave. Meanwhile, at the home of Roots co-founder Michael Budman, stars like Olivia Wilde, Jason Sudeikis, Colin Firth, Adrien Brody and Maria Bello will enjoy live performances by Michael Bolton and Daniel Lanois as director Paul Haggis hosts the Artists for Peace and Justice Film Festival Lunch.

– On Sunday night, The Carlu at Yonge and College St. will be the place to spot stars as they arrive for the Inspiration Gala in support of amfAR. This swanky soiree is hosted by Hilary Swank, Alan Cumming and fashion designer Marc Jacobs.

– At the Enemy after-party on Sunday, stars like Jake Gyllenhaal and Isabella Rossellini and Sarah Gadon will toast the film they shot in Toronto last year.

– Over at Patria on King St. West, Sandra Bullock and (maybe) George Clooney will raise a glass to their film Gravity.

– Monday night, aspiring directors will have a chance to pitch their movies to Hollywood heavyweight Harvey Weinstein at the after-party for Filthy Gorgeous: The Bob Guccione Story at Cube on Queen St. West. The Penthouse creator’s son Bob Guccione Jr. will also be there.

– Meanwhile, over at The Roundhouse on Bremner Blvd., Entertainment One celebrates more than two dozen flicks it is showcasing at TIFF. Stars like Daniel Radcliffe, Chris Hemsworth, Keanu Reeves, Taylor Kitsch and Jay Baruchel are among those who could make appearances.

– Tuesday night’s biggest bash is at the Windsor Arms, where InStyle teams up once again with the Hollywood Foreign Press to celebrate TIFF. Expect a steady flow of stars at the St. Thomas St. hotel, including the likes of Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Scarlett Johansson, Keanu Reeves, Mia Wasikowska, Michael C. Hall and Elizabeth Olsen, Ben Foster and Daniel Radcliffe.

– On Wednesday night, Jay Baruchel heads a cast party for the made-in-Ontario flick The Art of the Steal at F-Stop Nightclub on Wellington St.